House Finance Vice Chair Faces Questions On Residency

State Rep. John Carnevale (D-Providence), vice chairman of the House Finance Committee, faces questions about whether he’s been living outside his...

by Ian Donnis

State Rep. John Carnevale (D-Providence), vice chairman of the House Finance Committee, faces questions about whether he’s been living outside his legislative district.

Carnevale represents Providence and part of Johnston.

Carnevale declined comment when approached by Rhode Island Public Radio before the start of Tuesday's House session.

An undercover investigation by WPRI-TV, Channel 12, shows that Carnevale’s vehicles were repeatedly seen at a Johnston property outside his district. At the same time, the lawmaker’s vehicles were never seen at the Providence property he lists as his primary residence.

According to Channel 12's report, Carnevale covered his face with a T-shirt when he apparently became aware he was being videotaped.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said Carnevale should not seek re-election if Carnevale lives outside his district.

“If he does not live in the district, I don’t believe he should," Mattiello said. "We should live in the districts we represent, we should know the districts, and we should have a relationship with our constituents in that district in order that we can serve their interests best.”

Mattiello said he had not spoken with Carnevale ahead of the House session, but planned to afterward.

"I have questions based on what we've all seen," he said. "I'm going to do what I think is appropriate and fair, and have a conversation with him, and let him explain himself."

The speaker said he plans to come up with a new as-yet-undecided way of vetting committee members for the next legislative session.

Carnevale is a former Providence police officer. He was first elected to the House in 2008.